Export promotion agencies’ lived turmoil, response and strategies in covid-19 times

4Citations
Citations of this article
81Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

This paper explores Export Promotion Agencies’ (EPAs’) lived turmoil amid the COVID-19 crisis. It investigates: the EPAs’ perspective on pandemic impact on exporting SMEs; the pandemic impact on EPAs, their operations and response strategies; and EPAs’ perception and expectations post-COVID. The research draws on in-depth interviews with three countries’ EPA managers (Chile, Ecuador, Peru); five elite informants engaged operationally and strategically. A narrative approach inquiring on human experience is adopted, enabling rich insights on complex dynamics and con-textual realities ‘from the inside’. Notwithstanding heavy regional impact, no research exists on South America; especially EPAs’ role in COVID times. The methodology provides intimate first-hand knowledge on idiosyncratic circumstances shrouded in uncertainty; unprecedented challenges faced at ground zero, addressed in unconventional ways. Country-specific complexities compounded pandemic impact. EPAs were compelled to rediscover their purpose, devising novel responses to help exporting SMEs. Notwithstanding reduced budgets and layoffs, the EPAs persevered, innovating resource-light solutions to pragmatically surmount turmoil; effectively serving their mission amid uncertainty and adversity. In/formal emergent trust-based cooperation strategies proved crucial. Also accentuated was production and consumption environmental sustainability. Detailed front-line perspectives provide valuable insight and important lessons on complex challenges endured and effective EPA action. Post-COVID perspectives, best practice and policy support recommendations are forthcoming.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Geldres-Weiss, V. V., Massa, N. P., & Monreal-Pérez, J. (2021). Export promotion agencies’ lived turmoil, response and strategies in covid-19 times. Sustainability (Switzerland), 13(21). https://doi.org/10.3390/su132112056

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free